Forward:
My 'Canesgot dusted by ND and it wasn't very pretty, but I took my medicine and called it for what it was; a beatdown. I get the ND-hate and all. As to what might prompt it, it might be strictly football-related, or "name brand" hatred...or, maybe that '500 lb. gorilla in the room' (some other kind of 'bias' in play?)....who's to say?? Having said that, while the arguing on behalf of teams has been spirited and fun to read, I gotta be honest: the blind ND cheap shots have gone from funny to absurd in spots. But more importantly, MUCH more importantly:

KT, sincere congratulations on the welcome new addition to the family. Hope Mom and child are doing well.

That said KT, here are some "Best Wishes" sentiments from around the country on your family's joyous event:

Notre Dame: ~ "May the nourishment of the earth be yours;
may the clarity of the light be yours;
may the fluency of the ocean be yours;
may the protection of the ancestors be yours;
and may your blessed child be buried in a casket
made from the wood of a century-old oak that we will plant tomorrow" ~

Total Travesty? .......*ring*..."Hello?...Johnny's Pizza?...Er yeah, I'd like to order a large pie to go with sausage and peppers and lemme have a side order of objectivity....what's that?....you're out of objectivity?...ok, nevermind, forget the objectivity....twenty minutes?....ok, thank you.."

I don't forget-I remind myself of that unassailable fact each morning befor brushing my teeth: IT WAS THE REFS!!...yessir, that was it!

What Hokie hokum you crumb bum! I think 'Bama's capable of punking ANYONE.
But Georgia?...punking ND?? Me thinks a lil' SEC myopia in play there KT?

^^lol. To quote Dylan, "oh the times they are 'a changin'" - that's a "180" from a month ago BigS - wink

Ah, that 'unbeaten' word again...

And yet, not-so-long ago, it was the other 'other shoe' (ND) wearing the upset tag.

Seriously, all kidding aside KT, here is the one thing I kept hearing repeated week after week in this thead: when it came to an upcoming opponent, it was "they're better than ND, no way ND will win." (@ Oklahoma anyone?). And yet once ND put 'em in their rear-view mirror, suddenly the goal posts got moved and then it was simply a matter of the opponent being a cream puff, or (but of course!): "bwaaa!!....the refs!!!" : ) And from that point on, I was convinced this thread was in large measure just an ND pile-on... just sayin'..

Hey, knock it off with facts as it concerns ND will ya 'dad'? : ) (j/k)

OMG!!!...who's gonna DEFLATE the balls for the backup QB??!!!
Hmmm....I noticed no mention of that. Had that same cheating stunt applied to ND, tell me that a riot of "Piety-Gone-WILD" ranting wouldn't have ensued?

Touche', DP. And thanks for the well wishes. Mom and baby are doing great...we're having as much fun as sleep deprivation allows.

I'm in Big's tent RE Notre Dame...nothing but respect but always got tired hearing about them. Sort of like Ted Turner's Atlanta Braves on TBS as a kid....always pre-empting my Brady Bunch, Gilligan's Island and Flintstones reruns...not cool. I actually just read that Notre Dame is the first team to be ranked #1 while also being #1 in graduation rate...cheers to the Golden Dome on that achievement. But to make myself feel better, all the 'experts' on ESPN/CBS/Fox, etc., made us believe that ND would be lucky to hit .500 this year. Always nice to see them proven wrong.

Myopia aside, I think Bama and GA, even Florida provide a tough match-up for Notre Dame. We see it every year in the BCS title game. Teams just get worn out dealing with the weight/power on the O and D lines and then there's the speed factor. I keep hoping a non-SEC team can break through but I'd be shocked if Notre Dame beats the SEC champ. As I said before, I'm really pulling for my ACC this weekend. Clemson and FSU have good shots, GA Tech not so much.

Happy Thanksgiving DP and all in this thread! And may God have his hand on the ACC in the coming months...and not on that unholy alliance of Big 10/Fox/NewsCorp.

Sorry if the ref blame annoys anyone. But when the anouncers on NbC call it out as well it hurts. The main point is that nd was a bad call away from losing to a 4-6 team at home. I just don't think they are a nt team.

^^^I stand by my claim...ND has remained unbeaten with smoke and mirrors:

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Your good taste in music aside, what are you smoking not to mention using 'mirrors' for? ...'chop, chop'... ;-)

stringertom said:

What are I will grant their defense is a top-notch group but I am still very underwhelmed by their offense. The TE is a legitimate pro prospect but the rest of their skill group...not so much, especially the 2-headed QB arrangement.

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I hear you. However, do recall who FIRST made mention of ND'S QB situation in this thread, specifically the Rees-Gholston hybrid stymieing their offense in the long run.

Answer: ME.

ND to their credit stuck to their 'team rules' gun and suspended Rees after he got caught screwing around. While that was against an overmatched Navy team in their season-opener over in Ireland, it still hampers the 'reps and rhythm' of the #1's. Further, in having to have Rees repeatedly coming in to bailout the inexperienced Gholston, I mentioned (way back) that this was not good for them or any offense in the long run. That said, Gholston's play has evolved in recent weeks and he looks like he's now a handful for any defense. He combines a (slightly slower) Denard Robinson-like escapabiliity and athleticism (Mich. QB) and has a bigger arm than I thought. That said, I also mentioned skepticism about ND's secondary--still do--as their secondary's only 1 year removed from a last minute meltdown against what was imho, an over-rated Michigan team.

Today they face USC at USC in a very hostile Colliseum. They face a pre-season #1 ranked team who is loaded with across-the-board talent, the best pair of WR's in Lee & Woods and who also have a big, strong-armed QB in Max Wittek. Wittek isn't some junior who's been holding a clipboard for the past 3 years. He's a redshirt freshman who was picked from day-1 to be Barkley's heir apparent.

Bottom line: USC has "shat" the bed. Now, whether that's a reflection of their 'talented bully' lack of character (only in spots, can't diss the entire squad) or reflects their d-bag coach Lane Kiffin, the fact remains: they are a very deep, very talented team with serious weapons (dropped '51' on Oregon) and who will be playing at a psycho level of intensity AT HOME and who would love nothing more than to get back into the national spotlight by wrecking ND's season--period. That's all you need to know: USC has more than a puncher's chance to win this game.

Don't forget: the Sports Illustrated cover "jinx"

At this stage, going into this game, I'm only left wondering the following:

1. does ND rush only 3, sit back and play 'bend but don't break' and wait for Wittek to make a bad read,

2. occassionally blitz LB Manti T'eo to get him into Wittek's head ("where is T'eo?"), or,

3. stack the box against SC's running game and dare Wittek to beat 'em through the air with his arm alone.

I don't think Kelly does #3. Lee & Woods are too talented to have ND's CB's out on an island one-on-one. That said, does SC go 2 TE's and look to use Lee/Woods to occupy the safeties? We'll see. The LOS (DL/OL matchups) will also play a huge part in determining the winner.

KT and BigServer, totally get your "1,275 reasons why I dislike ND" feedback, thanks for the 411, and glad you took my post (and occassional ribbing) in the intended spirit. KT, glad mom and baby are doing well....hopefully the child has MOM's good looks, yes?? :razz:

And JBfan, I take back my Andrew Bynum haircut crack-lol.

stringertom said:

I am now almost wishing they reach the title game just so they will be exposed for the pretenders they are.

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Almost wishing? C'mon ST, admit it: you'd love to sit back, microwave some popcorn and gleefully watch 'Bama wax ND! Having said that, I think 'Bama's capable of waxing ANY of the top-5 ranked teams (my long-time like of 'Bama notwithstanding) so if they beat ND convincingly I don't think it necessarily confirms any ND hater's "smoke & mirrors" evaluation. jmho. (sidebar: I've heard of a tentative Bama-ND "10 point" line in Vegas). Imho, 'Bama's the favorite over any team they'd face). But I digress: if your "almost wish" wish doesn't come true, then I guess....alas!....you're just going to have to be content watching your 1-loss team playing another 1-loss team in the Del Monte Canned Cling Peaches Bowl.

That said, Roll Tide today.
FSU-UF should be interesting, wouldn't be surprised to see FSU win. UF??...now you wanna talk about an 'underwhelming offense'?

I'm going out to play platform tennis ("paddle") in this brisk weather; apres' paddle with a cold 'rinse' in front of roaring fire in club house bar and check out the Iron Bowl--Roll Tide!

"Wake Up the Echos!"

~Cheer, cheer for Notre Dame on high,
You bring the whiskey, I'll bring the rye,
Send the freshman out for gin,
Don't let a sober sophmore in,
We never stagger, we never fall,
We sober up on wood alcohol,
When we fight, we fight like hell,
For the glory of Notre Dame~

ND will be inactive for 6+ weeks until the title game...an eternity to try and maintain rhythm and focus. Barring any major injury, Bama/Georgia winner gains a slight advantage playing one more game.

If Bama wins next Saturday, IMO they win it all and fairly easily. If it's Dawgs and Dames, all depends on Murray staying TO-free. A couple of gifts will spell doom.

Hats off to ND for that goalline stand. Defensive #5 was superb; offensive #5 took care of the ball, which was what was asked of him. BTW, since when can you have multiple players with the same jersey number???

ND will be inactive for 6+ weeks until the title game...an eternity to try and maintain rhythm and focus. Barring any major injury, Bama/Georgia winner gains a slight advantage playing one more game.

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True. That said, Georgia caught a break with the unfortunate injury to explosive Bama WR wide receiver Kenny Jones. Amazing that going into this year, 'Bama replaced their starting wide receivers, installed a new offensive coordinator, replaced their star RB (Richardson) and practically didn't miss a beat. The fact that the title game won't be for 6 weeks may serve as a big break (no pun intended) for 'Bama should Jones return for that game (and providing the Tide beats Ga. in the SEC Championship Game). A returning Jones and Amari Collins in tandem would be huge problem for ND's secondary especially considering the fact that 'Bama has a better running attack than Southern Cal (and a much better OL), one which should open up a couple of deep shots off play action by McCarron.

stringertom said:

If Bama wins next Saturday, IMO they win it all and fairly easily. If it's Dawgs and Dames, all depends on Murray staying TO-free. A couple of gifts will spell doom.

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Dames? Cute.
Unless Georgia is a different team from the one who got owned by So. Carolina, I see 'Bama 27-17.

stringertom said:

Hats off to ND for that goalline stand. Defensive #5 was superb; offensive #5 took care of the ball, which was what was asked of him. BTW, since when can you have multiple players with the same jersey number???

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Hell of a goal line stand by ND but at the same time, it also screamed out why Lane Kiffen imho stinks as a game manager. While hindsight's 20/20, he nevertheless had favorable matchups out on the wings with his two brilliant WR's Lee & Woods, so what does he do??....repeatedly run into the "front 7" strength of the Notre Dame defense? ....stoned....stoned....stoned.... brilliant Lane...just brilliant...

USC: 1st and goal on the 2, another 1st and goal 1-foot away from the goal line and time after time and they ended up getting stoned more than Bob Marley.

And let's not even talk about his use of timeouts. For a guy with a good rep for offense, his game management in crunch time leaves a lot to be desired. And let's not even talk about his sleezey departure from TN ... the weasel. :razz:

As for 2 players wearing the "same number," I think that can be the case esp. playing at home, suiting up a large number of players. I recall only about 3 years ago, when a team had 2 placekickers wearing the same number (and attemping FG's in the same game)--one of them if I recall correctly, one was a righty and the other a lefty. .....was it #40? ...

Wow that fsu/uf game was good. I had gator friends texting me in the 3rd congratulating me on the win..lol. I thought we did just fine against ufs d, and really the onus falls on poor decision making by ej, and some terrible play calling by jimbo. Just too conservative and resulted in leaving our D on the field for way too long. We have a ton of guys graduating or leaving for the nfl. Imo, this year was a complete failure for jimbo, as he had a team loaded with nfl talent and should not have lost 2 games. I think we take a step back next year unless our young qb winston wows everyone in camp and wins the job over trickett (who looked like a little boy out there)..

Anyway, i think the best game of the year will be next weeks sec title game, but notre dame versus (likely) alabama should draw a ton of ratings and i am sure about everyone will be rooting against satan in this one.

There were three games in one @ The Doak yesterday...UF won 13-0 and 24-6 in the bookends, Oreo-ing FSU's 20-0 icing in the middle. How did FSU manage to win the battle and lose the war? Their big players made big plays and stopped playing like JV'ers! When they reverted to "scrub style" we lost the "mo" and caved.

The first 25 minutes of the game reminded me of Gamecocks' implosion in Gainesville a month or so ago. Whatever we could do wrong, we sure seemed willing to try...missed tackles, blown blitz pick-ups, staring down receivers w/o reading the "D", fumbled KO returns. It wasn't Jimbo as much as the players.

For E.J., it was Dickensian "best of times, worst of times". I think his scramble to set up the half-ending FG loosened him up and he played well until his bell was rung.

I thought they needed to run like The Dawgs did in Jacksonville vs UF to succeed. They didn't and that's key to the loss. Not enough third-down conversions and too many TO's while not getting off the field on third-downs on defense.

There were three games in one @ The Doak yesterday...UF won 13-0 and 24-6 in the bookends, Oreo-ing FSU's 20-0 icing in the middle. How did FSU manage to win the battle and lose the war? Their big players made big plays and stopped playing like JV'ers! When they reverted to "scrub style" we lost the "mo" and caved.

The first 25 minutes of the game reminded me of Gamecocks' implosion in Gainesville a month or so ago. Whatever we could do wrong, we sure seemed willing to try...missed tackles, blown blitz pick-ups, staring down receivers w/o reading the "D", fumbled KO returns. It wasn't Jimbo as much as the players.

For E.J., it was Dickensian "best of times, worst of times". I think his scramble to set up the half-ending FG loosened him up and he played well until his bell was rung.

I thought they needed to run like The Dawgs did in Jacksonville vs UF to succeed. They didn't and that's key to the loss. Not enough third-down conversions and too many TO's while not getting off the field on third-downs on defense.

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Very informative post. Totally agree. UF's time of possession in the 1st half was unreal-just wore down the FSU D. Completely agree that FSU really needed a run game and it didn't happen. UF's penalties were also out of control-200+ yards for UF vs 40 or 50 from FSU. Good game.

Gotta give props to ND but agree that the 4 best teams really might be in the SEC. UF certainly deserves a shot (playoff please) with 4 wins against the top 12. That hiccup against GA cost them big. Can't wait for Bama/GA.

Jimbo should stay at FSU. Why on earth any coach would want to move from the ACC to the SEC is beyond me. Jimbo can sit back, win 10 games and go to a BCS game every year. At Auburn, it's a helluva lot more work to make an SEC title game.

Well the flipside is that recruiting is even easier. If FSU was an SEC school, I am guessing top 3 class every year with Jimbo. Losing to UF will hurt us a little in recruiting and we may not get a top 3 class this year. Also, more $$$ is made in the SEC which helps build better facilities..etc.

But yes, winning the ACC in the future should get FSU in a playoff perennially - if the playoff is done correctly and they expand it to 6-8 teams. I'd like to think Jimbo is here long term and that Jamis Winston develops enough to get the nod next year, as it will be a mini rebuild for us. We can still win the ACC, and will most likely have an incredible ground game, but we are going to lose a lot of talent on D to the NFL.

Speaking of that - Tank Carradine - done. Torn ACL. Ugh. This guy was looking like another first round DE, and I think he may drop a round. I will project Woerner to go round 1, and Jenkins and Tank to go round 2 due to injury.

I'm really going to miss those guys. Bjorn repped real hard against UF, and singlehandedly slapped their Oline around for almost the whole game. Just an incredible effort by that guy to keep us in the hunt until the 4th quarter.

Jimbo should stay at FSU. Why on earth any coach would want to move from the ACC to the SEC is beyond me. Jimbo can sit back, win 10 games and go to a BCS game every year. At Auburn, it's a helluva lot more work to make an SEC title game.

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If he wants to win a Natl Championship, he almost has to move to an SEC school. Look at the BCS standings just the other day. He was 10-1 with an ACC schedule and there were still 6 SEC teams ahead of him in the BCS. Then this past weekend the ACC and SEC went head to head in 4 games and the SEC spanked them in all 4 games.

If he wants to win a Natl Championship, he almost has to move to an SEC school. Look at the BCS standings just the other day. He was 10-1 with an ACC schedule and there were still 6 SEC teams ahead of him in the BCS. Then this past weekend the ACC and SEC went head to head in 4 games and the SEC spanked them in all 4 games.

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Eh, Florida State was ranked so low b/c the ACC was down this year, and they lost to NC State.

It became a non issue since they couldn't handle UF at home, but if they'd run the table and been 13-0 (with an ACC title game win) they would have been #2 behind ND, no question.

The SEC is in a period of dominance, but only once in the last 7 years have we had an all SEC title game. The other 6 years there were representatives from other conferences, they just couldn't win the games.

As far as recruiting goes, it may be easier in the SEC, but FSU is an elite school. It shouldn't be THAT hard to continue getting quality kids there.

I agree. It is not that hard, we finished top 3 last year. I am responding to the misguided opinion of some that FSU would not be able to compete in the SEC if they joined. I believe they would only improve due to better recruiting, more $$ and better facilities. Attendance would also be a lot higher due to better quality of games.

FSU needed to go undefeated and they would be in the NT discussion, if not in the game. In fact, if they had beaten UF and not stumbled against Nc state, I think they would have been playing ND again in a bowl game. Oh well. But yes, the ACC does allow you to play in the NT game, you just have to have a perfect season.

Eh, Florida State was ranked so low b/c the ACC was down this year, and they lost to NC State.

It became a non issue since they couldn't handle UF at home, but if they'd run the table and been 13-0 (with an ACC title game win) they would have been #2 behind ND, no question.

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Eh, that's debateble. We've seen in the past that BCS voters and computers put so much weight on SEC that a 1 loss SEC team can and may be ahead of unbeaten PAC-12/ACC/etc schools.

Though given the choice between Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee and FSU, FSU has the most tradition and probably the better recruiting base. Plus what's to say that by year's end FSU isn't moving to the SEC anyways w/ the way conference expansion is going.

The ACC just isn't a good football conference. Is the ACC in a 'good' year really going to ever be better than the Big Ten, Big 12, or Pac 12, let alone the SEC? Miami's been done and dusted for years and isn't 'The U' of old, BC is an also ran, UNC can't stop getting their players in trouble, VT is a middle of the pack team as far as being a national power, Clemson is decent, the rest are pretty bad. Compare that to the other conferences and it's not really that good.

Eh, that's debateble. We've seen in the past that BCS voters and computers put so much weight on SEC that a 1 loss SEC team can and may be ahead of unbeaten PAC-12/ACC/etc schools.

Though given the choice between Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee and FSU, FSU has the most tradition and probably the better recruiting base. Plus what's to say that by year's end FSU isn't moving to the SEC anyways w/ the way conference expansion is going.

The ACC just isn't a good football conference. Is the ACC in a 'good' year really going to ever be better than the Big Ten, Big 12, or Pac 12, let alone the SEC? Miami's been done and dusted for years and isn't 'The U' of old, BC is an also ran, UNC can't stop getting their players in trouble, VT is a middle of the pack team as far as being a national power, Clemson is decent, the rest are pretty bad. Compare that to the other conferences and it's not really that good.

Agree JBF. The Big 10 and ACC are the 2 conferences who seem to be getting farther away from the SEC every year when it comes to being able to compete and I hate it because I dislike just about every team in the SEC and I am living right in the middle of it.

Jimbo should stay at FSU. Why on earth any coach would want to move from the ACC to the SEC is beyond me. Jimbo can sit back, win 10 games and go to a BCS game every year. At Auburn, it's a helluva lot more work to make an SEC title game.

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Agree. Not everyone wants to coach in that pressure cooker. It's insane. More than half the fans are lunatic fringe/NASCAR quality who never dreamed of walking into a classroom of "their" school. The SEC has done squat for Vandy, UK, Ole Miss, Miss St (most years) football success and everyone else goes through periods of sanctions. In this day and age, there is no reason that FSU, Miami, Va Tech, Clemson and NC State can't compete with the likes of Penn St, Ohio St, Michigan and Michigan St. The ACC's overall BCS bowl record is horrible but they have exactly as many BCS titles as the Big 10...one (two if you county Miami's title while in the Big East).

No one will compete with the SEC because they want it more and will spend more. Wake, Duke, BC, etc. aren't much worse than Indiana, Minnesota and Illinois of late. If you look at D1 football athletes per capita, the southern states dominate. Bring in some young, hot coaches/recruiters and put up the big $$ and you will win. Boise did it. Oregon did it. The ACC schools have tons and tons of money. They just need to get down from their academic high horse and spend it. Most Va Tech fans want to jump to the SEC but I would be furious.

In an ideal world the conferences should shrink enough to allow more, not less, interconference play and then the biggies would play some home-and-home series throughout the season instead of the one-offs at the start of the year and the bowls at the end. However, we're going the opposite route...the ACC adds Pitt and 'Cuse in '14, adds a ninth conference game and shrinks any leeway to do a Bowden-era roadfest that would add strength-of-schedule brownie points. Now a Clemson or FSU must run the table to get the crystal ball while Saban/Miles & Co. can shrug off a stumble or two and still play for the big marble.

Here's hoping Stoops becomes the most successful football coach at UK since The Bear! It's a tough road from here though...UF, UGa, USCaro every year and throw in some Bama, LSU and now TAM for spice every other year. Ouch, that will leave some marks!

Agree. Ga Tech should not even be in the game. It is a black mark on the ACC. That being said, they chop block very aggressively and you need to play good assignment football to contain their offense. Tons of distractions for FSU to go up there and not play hard, but I expect us to win.

That's the danger of larger conferences and conference title games...The idea that GaTech could make a BCS game at 7-6, or Wisconsin at 8-5 is just pitiful. There's also the Louisville - Rutgers game this weekend, where the winner gets a BCS bid, even though neither is ranked and each has two losses in a terrible conference.

I personally miss the old Pac 10, when everybody played everybody and it gave a consensus champ. Now, each team skips two teams each year, meaning you can be undefeated in your conference by potentially skipping the best two teams, or get inadvertently penalized for drawing a tougher schedule.

A team from the Pac-12 South for instance, that skips Stanford and Oregon in the same season, shouldn't be measured the same way as a team that plays both.

Regardless, all this conference realignment stuff is driving me crazy.

I hope Lousville wins since they are joining the ACC and I would like to see how our Stoops-less defense handles a guy like Bridgewater, who will be fun to watch.

It's a meaningless game though. Honestly, who cares unless there is a title at stake. Playing for the "honor" of going to the Rose/Orange..etc Bowl is simply marketing tradition to older people so they stay blind to the fact the athletes are getting screwed out of a playoff system and the old men in charge are cashing in.

If playoffs were top 8 and started this weekend we would have Oregon vs UF. Bama vs LSU. UGA vs Kstate. ND vs stanford for round 2. Just amazing games. Imagine that in one weekend.

I hope Lousville wins since they are joining the ACC and I would like to see how our Stoops-less defense handles a guy like Bridgewater, who will be fun to watch.

It's a meaningless game though. Honestly, who cares unless there is a title at stake. Playing for the "honor" of going to the Rose/Orange..etc Bowl is simply marketing tradition to older people so they stay blind to the fact the athletes are getting screwed out of a playoff system and the old men in charge are cashing in.

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I think a lot of people care, honestly. Oregon will go to the Fiesta Bowl this year, and if we win, we'll finish #2 or #3 in the polls, giving us three consecutive top 3 finishes, two straight BCS wins, etc.

Would I rather be the 4th team in a 4 team playoff? Yeah, sure, but still, if your team can go to a BCS game, it's a pretty big deal.

Is it? BCS bowls are contractual. that means Kent State could be in a BCS bowl.Rutgers or LOU as well. If there was a playoff instead, you would still be able to say all those things you just stated most likely, and they would have more meaning.

Is it? BCS bowls are contractual. that means Kent State could be in a BCS bowl.Rutgers or LOU as well. If there was a playoff instead, you would still be able to say all those things you just stated most likely, and they would have more meaning.

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I don't disagree with this. I think it's different for me, since the team I root for is 11-1, and ranked 5th (likely 4th after this weekend), and we'll be getting an at large bid to play the champ from the Big 12 (2nd best conference this year).

I am ready for the 4 team playoff, but I don't want to see it extend beyond that. Many years there are 3-4 teams that are deserving of a shot, but I can't remember a time when 5 or more teams all had a legitimate claim to make it. This year it would work out perfectly. Notre Dame, winner of Bama/UGA, Florida and Oregon. No other team (other than sanctioned Ohio State) has a legit claim. Even with Kansas State, they were blown out by a bad Baylor team.

Another issue with some of the playoff formats that are floated is that they are contractual as well (6 conf. champs + 2 at large bids). That means we'll still see Rutgers in an 8 team playoff, in lieu of a team that's far more deserving.

4 teams is not enough to me. You have to give a team a shot who may not play the same schedule as an SEC team. The SEC could have 4-5 playoff teams on it's own.

In all honesty, I wish it could be 16. It would allow a team from a small conference who excelled to get a crack at the big boys.

More importantly, it would ensure incredible meaningful weekends of college football. The game would be elevated to a whole new level and many questions would be answered. My first question is if Oregon could hang with any SEC team this year. Stanford's physicality held ORE to 14 points. What would they do this year against UF? I think UF would win personally. I guess what I am saying is that I am not buying the ORE is a top 4 team if they had to play an SEC opponent. A 16 team playoff would prove me right or wrong. Most importantly, it would be an incredible treat for the fans and players.

You could do the first 2 rounds at home for the higher seeded teams. the final 4 are bowls. 1 -2 weeks off before the NT. It would make the travel a lot easier to handle.

4 teams is not enough to me. You have to give a team a shot who may not play the same schedule as an SEC team. The SEC could have 4-5 playoff teams on it's own.

In all honesty, I wish it could be 16. It would allow a team from a small conference who excelled to get a crack at the big boys.

More importantly, it would ensure incredible meaningful weekends of college football. The game would be elevated to a whole new level and many questions would be answered. My first question is if Oregon could hang with any SEC team this year. Stanford's physicality held ORE to 14 points. What would they do this year against UF? I think UF would win personally. I guess what I am saying is that I am not buying the ORE is a top 4 team if they had to play an SEC opponent. A 16 team playoff would prove me right or wrong. Most importantly, it would be an incredible treat for the fans and players.

You could do the first 2 rounds at home for the higher seeded teams. the final 4 are bowls. 1 -2 weeks off before the NT. It would make the travel a lot easier to handle.

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In fairness to the Stanford - Oregon game, our kicker cost us 6 points, and a missed De'Anthony Thomas block early in the game cost us 7. We could have scored 24 ish at least, but we made mistakes and Stanford played very, very well. It was also a poorly called game from Chip Kelly, as he kept going right at Stanford's strengths. What's always missed about that game is the fact that the Oregon defense (banged up as it was) more than held their own, holding Stanford to 14 points in regulation. Florida's offense is pretty bad, so I'd think our defense would be OK.

Case in point, Oregon State had the 14th ranked rush defense in the country and hadn't allowed 200 rush yards in a game all year. We ran for 430 on them, on the road, and totally dominated their defense.

Oregon has issues with coming up big in the big game. It's the one real issue I have with Chip Kelly as a coach. He's never lost a game to a team that finished the season unranked, but Oregon tends to make mistakes and bad decisions in really big games that can cost us (Ohio State 2009, Auburn 2010, LSU 2011, USC 2011, Stanford 2012)

A 16 team playoff is ridiculous, imo. The regular season games wouldn't be as meaningful because 3 losses could still get you into a playoff. The reason everyone loves March Madness is the reason no one cares about the NCAA regular season. 12 losses? NBD, you can still get in, and if you get hot, you could make a run.

As for the strength of the SEC, it's a top heavy league. The bottom 8 teams in that league are WINLESS against the top 6. The issue with the SEC is that they play 4 OOC games and only 8 conference games, so almost every SEC team is guaranteed 3-4 wins OOC (Chattanooga State, anyone?), and then they can beat up on the also rans in the conference. Don't get me wrong, I think the SEC is the strongest conference, but I don't think it's the ninth NFL division like some people do. Texas A&M was a middle of the road big 12 team, and they have successfully come into the SEC playing a style of football that "doesn't work in the SEC". Obviously Manziel has something to do with that, but it's all a matter of perception, I think.